SEPTEMBER IS THE NEW JANUARY
September is the new January: Here's how to set and tackle big goals this AUTUMN
It’s not the end of the year, but it is the end of another summer and the beginning of autumn, the season that of all four, feels the most symbolic of change.
Autumn can also be a great time of year to implement and/or reinvigorate goals. September as a more realistic time to make changes and set up new routines than January, which is a really difficult time to make changes because we’re run down from all the Christmas activities, our routines have shifted, we probably ate more sugar and carbs and less vegetables and for most of us, the cold weather doesn’t have us functioning on top form.
Creating ‘new year’ resolutions for the Autumn can also help us deal with the Christmas stress ahead.
Glenn Carstens Peters
Amanda Frank
what matteRs TO YOU?
So how can we make better goals? Use the end of Summer to reflect on the year and what was meaningful to you. What felt fulfilling? What would we like to hold on to or change? Use this reflection to make a list of what you'd like to accomplish by the end of the year.
Then review those goals to see if they are ‘SMART’ goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. For example, if you say ‘I want to lose weight’, that's not very specific, so perhaps say something like ‘I would like to lose five pounds by the end of the year.’
That's a goal that's specific, measurable, bound by a specific point in time and depending on your current weight and what you care about, might also be attainable and relevant.
goals should BE based on wants/needs, NOT SHOULDS
When it comes to goal setting, it’s important to identify our intentions behind it. Are we making a change because we want/need it, or because we feel obligated to do it?
Rather than setting goals based on what you think you should be doing, set goals based on what you actually want. This will make the goals more achievable as you will feel more motivated to reach them.
Tyler Nix
Jade Stephens
Blubel
Start small and build
No matter the goal, whether it’s losing weight or saving money, you will benefit from starting small, and focusing on just one thing. Often, people don't reach goals for two reasons, they have too many goals, so they are unfocused and their goals seem so big they aren't sure where aren't sure where to start.
Prioritising a one goal and then always taking the next step toward it. Make it your one and only goal right now, then ask yourself this, what's the next best step I can take today to get there? It's a simple and efficient process that will get you to bigger goals and ultimately allow you to do more.
Be flexible with your goal — it may need adjusting
Keep in mind is that what works for one person doesn't work for the next. The goal is to make life better. If you’re struggling to get up extra early to implement a morning meditation practice and find yourself more stressed by the end of the day, maybe you’re better off focusing on a calming night routine instead.
Changing how you reach your goal shouldn’t alter the outcome. Your goal may not take the path you expected it to take so remember to be flexible and embrace the change. It'‘s perfectly ok to change the plan to suit your own needs. It’s your journey and no one else.
Madison Lavern
Austin Distel
Thought Catalog
Dovile Ramoskaite
“If you can find joy in the journey, you’ve already won”
Setbacks will happen, Embrace them
The process of change and personal growth is very rarely a singular path. Instead, learn to look at setbacks as a natural part of the process of change.
It’s effort that will create lasting change and carry you through and into the new year ahead. Be patient with yourself whenever you start making changes in your life.
Enlist an accountability partner
It’s important of hold yourself accountable so that you can stay on track and not flake out. For this, you should enlist a friend, family member or even a mental health peer who you can count on to help you stick to your word. Being accountable means committed to at least one other person what you are going to do for the week and then follow up.
Celebrate every achievement
Remember to celebrate each and every milestone along the way, no matter how small, in order to reach your goal.